Liquid-processing apparatus



.l d a F 3 Oct. 21, 1930. E. B. NICHOLS LIQUID PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 27, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZSATTORN 3' Oct, 21, 1930. E. a. NICHOLS LIQUID PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 27, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOR UNITED,

nocnns'rnn, NEW YORK, A'conPoRATIo v or vnwQYom;

u ao sssmes imw nneen nivrcnons, F CAMDEN, NEW J RSE Assieivon TO ir s E m mee ip "Applicationifiled January 192 8: fierial No. 250,048

'qThe present invention relatesto a liquid processing appa'ratu-sof the heat-exchange type and has for its'objecttoprovide improved means of this class-designed particu c larly for use in the treating of liquids such, for example, asemployed inthe processing of foods' and other-substances by heating or cooling treatment. V 1 I v p A further obj ectof the invention is to pro- 10 vide -improved conducting means for a-heating or cooling medium in conjunction with a container for the liquid to be treated or processed, designedin sucha manner as toregulate the supply of the medium and Ito permit the heating or cooling surface to beincreased or decreased as desired in accordanc e with "theamount' or nature of the liquid to be c I processed. A further objectof the inventi'on is to provide an improved arrangement of heating or cooling sections or" coils designed for' con.- venientlyregulating the extent of the effective surface of the coils by individual control thereover whereby to more effectively-land economicallytreatthe liquids to be processed.

'A still furtherob] ect'of the inventionisto provide an improved heatexchange system embodying coils'or tubular sections designed in-a manner to permit a series of the same to vaobe readily assembled and "individually controlled in order to efie'ct regulation of 'the.

flow oft-he heating or cooling medium to'one or more of the coils or sections without effect-f to the remaining coils the several coils having automaticpressure"responsive means for regulatingthe fiowof thegh'eatingmedium V therethrough and the coilsbeing so "'con- 40 strncted as to permit' additional 'coilsto be time to time with but little inconvenience;

To these and otherends the invention resides in certain-improvementsand combinaspecification; v '7 in the draw ngs;

Fig.- lis'a part'sectional elevation of an ap-y ing the-supply ofthe heat exchange medium .T

readily added or replacementsfmade;

tions of parts, all 'asvwillbe hereinafter more fully described, the novel= features" being. pointed out in" the claims at the: end. of.-'theruption-inthe'use of the. apparatus and with v mam embodying one form 'ofthe inven ff tion; v 1

" Fig. 2 isansectional plan through thetanl:

showing'thef'arrangement of the coils therein; 7 q

I p throughthecoilsectionstakenon'line v Fig; 3is {an enlarged sectional elevation Fig. 4 is an enlarged' detail sectionalplan we taken on line l 4 ofFigl'3; I

Fig'95 is a sectional plan takeni on line 5 -5 ofFiga3 'Similari'reference numerals the several viewsiindicate the samepajrts 7 i' g V Inthe manufacturingor processing of food products, as for example, the'pasteurizing of milk or vthe treating of other liqui'd's,fitlis.;es-'

designed-so as to permit of 'the employment of varying quantities of the medium; as may be required for dilferent quantities oflthe liquids to be processedor treated from time tional to the quantity ofliquid'tobe' treated.

sential "toTha've a series of conducting units for the heat' iexchange" medium tov be used 1 and in; the presentjinV-entiOn the 'coils'have beeni o designedfthatthey may be inde-f 'pendently controlled for this purpose-'or the quantity of the heating or coolingmediuni supplied to each varied as desired.-. 1.x 1

Furthermore, the coils at the points where they discharge one into another'are rovided ifv with; automatic pressure :operate v which-open'a'nd close according tothe varia I 1 s54 tions in{ pressure on the-oppositesides there or, but'whicli arranged t p'r-eventbacb valves Y flow of ,-the steamor otli'er medium from-a J receiving *coil to the coil IdisQhargiQngJtheretO,

or from a-{lower f to 'an upperfc'oil' when the I pressure infthe; former is greater inithe latter. l

The coils are {so constructed that they be readily assembled within ethen tank by Y buildin u'a ior 'su erim osin cone section e a a; V, s v e i upon another I and theif arrangement vshown 1 is such that the sections; i'nfc'ase; of repairs;

may be; quickly removed with butlittlerinter comparatively'smallfexpense; v In the arrangement shown ii -Figs, l to inclusive, three complete coils are provided,

planes one above another and having heads attheir opposite ends 111 superimposed relat e s h WIiil LF u t e q he inlet' hea-d' t each section is I preferably ele- Vated with respect to the"opposite-or outlet head of the section to insure proper drainage.

ofthe heating or cooling mediurniromfeach section to the next adjacentsectionthere-= V V h p as shown in Fig. l and pipes lead from said beneath. Also, the upper and lower heads ofeach coil itbxillllfil'iOI' lIllGi) side thereof, as viewed in Fig, 3, are in constant communieatio'n so that the steam or fluid when entering the coil will flow in opposite directions to the lower-heads ,atthe opposite ends of-thesectionswhich are also in communicaart'ank or:container-of any suitable form, which is adapted to be supported 1n any dc:-

sired manner andwhich is provided-iwitha curvedbottom. 11' as, indicated in, Fig; 1. v The tank is provided'with suitable inlet andout- .let openings notv shown-for the milk or other liquidate ,be treatedpand is preferably provided interiorlywithasuitable;- coating of enamehfor'protecting hemfoods: or other products to, be treated therein.

' The lowermost jcoill j comprises an; upper 7 section 12 and a lower section 13, the former l5i'and superimposed upon the outlet head havingr a head 12" providedwith a fluid inlet a connection 14 -which may be castintegralwith the head or detachablyconnected there-f 7 Within any suitable manner. The lower or opposite; head: of section 12 is indicated at 16;of' the lower section13 while the inlet head 7 12: of the upper. section is superimposed upon i andxirir communication with the head 17- of the-loWersection.'v Theroutlet head '16 is pref erablyqprovided;with an extension 16 with.

i which is" connectedloaf discharge V-piPeqlSLinclined downwardly as shown inFi'g. 1 and having an elbow 19.,thereoncommunicating with a-fianged head 20 supported bylthe botemail of the tank and having a discharge pipeQi leadingitherefronii The pipe 21 may be "suitably:connectedwithfa; tank or containernot shown for, receiving the exhaust steam-o. V Qlilliq'uid the coils, when discharged therefrom.

The S nna; oil ea; theiestas. 1

comprises the upper andlo-wer sections 22 i and 23 respectively, the former having inlet:

and outlet heads 24k and 25 superimposed upon the corresponding heads 26 and 27 of the lower section. Likewise the uppermost coil comprisesupper and-lowersections 28 and 29 respectively, the, former having inlet and outlet heads 80 and 31 superimposed upon the corresponding heads '32 and 33 of "section 29l flhe heads-24am like the head 12 'fare provided} With suitabIe inlet connec-- tions 34;an'd 35re'spectively as indicated in Fig. 1." Theinlet connections take into heads .36 suitablysecured upon the wall of thetank heads having'valves 37 @for regulating the supply of steam or liquid to each coil-or for cutting off the supply to anyonevof the coils i or toa'll of the same asmay'berequired under different conditionsof;operation.

;The heads 17 and 30 of the sections and 28 arepreferably provided with closures 17 and 30 respectively which are clamped npon the heads preferably. by a tie rod 39' for clamping the sections together, the .lSlQ'I'Ofl having a nut on its upper end a and being threaded atitslo-werend into a boss. on'the V closure 17 A similar. clamping"bolt 89 serves to conne'ctthe' opposite ends of the sectionsat the outlet ends thereof, said 'b olt being extendedthrougha closure, 81%ior the head. 31 and havingits' lower 1 end threaded lIltO a. boss on tion 13.7

, It ill; be mate as Fig; attain heads 2% and 13 respectively.",iLikewise, the heads 16 of thelowermost p 33and27atthe right ofFigB are provided withwalls 5L1 which serve to close openings in r the heads 25 and-'15 respectively. -The heads ofthe upper section of eachrcoil have openings; at bothsides toifacilitatecasting of the sections and the walls acme 4L1 serveto close "the upper;openings in theheads oi sections22 and12 as; lndlfiated'lll Flg. 3. Thus each 0011 QQIQPIIISQS an} ndependent c rculating unit arranged tofdischar ge into. the outlet end of upper Search of the next succeeding coil "therebenle'a'thfl 1 The walls shade-13mg "wai sj vided with 'relatively fsinall ,aisum ej eaings 42 arranged to be closedby, checkvalves 1 l3at the lower sides thereofwhich are slidably mounted on studs 44: depending "from":

sidewalls and havingrelatively light springs 45 coiled about the"sa1ne and'serving 'to normally seat the valves but permitting them to open and close 'u'nder varying pressures on opposite-sides thereof. The valves,xhowever; 1

are-provide'dfor preventing discharge ofthe steamupwardlyifitom' one-coil into another 1 7 should the pressure become greater inalower 1 than in the next adjacent uppercoil, It will beiunderstood, however, that since the steam or liquid in the lowermost sections 12iand 13 has afreeand unrestricted outlet, the pressure thereinwill be somewhat lower than in the sections of the coil thereabove where the pressure tendsto build up when the valves be come seated. Likewise,'the; pressurefin the intermediate coil will be slightly lower than -in theupperinost coil so that the upper Valve will freely open to permit the downward discharge of the heating medium therethrough. In this way proper circulation of the heating medium is assured at all times.

I claim asmy invention 1. Ina fluid circulating system, a series of superimposed coils comprising oppositelylex tending .upper'and lower coinmi'inicating sections inclinedto the horizontal and-arranged to circulate fluid in opposite directions from the high to the-low points of the coils, said [coils-having communicating passageszat said low points for the passage (of 1 all. the fluid from each :upper 'coil -to :the next succeeding pipes'leadingto the uppersections'of thefcoils coil'and means arranged to tending upperand lower imunicating heads at their opposite ends, the

coil therebeneath, a supply connection-lead ing to the upper endot', one section-of each secure said coils one upon another. 7

2. In a fiuid circulating system, a seriesot superimposedcoilsconiprising oppositely exsections havingcomupperheads, oftlie difi'erent} coils being noncommunicating and the lower headof the bottom s'ectionr-ofeach :coil being in communication with that of theltop section of the coil next beneath the sameandaseparate fluid supply connect-ion leadingto one upper headofeachcoil. 1 Y v '3. Ina fluid circulating s'ystem, a series of superimposed coils comprising oppositely extendingupper and: lower sections havingcoininunicatingheads at their opposite ends,' thez sections being 1I1Cl1I16Cl, to; the horizontal whereby to raise-their; lieadsone above an other thecoils atthelOWeIBHdS of the sectlOIlS being in communication one with an other and-non-comniunicat-ing at the upper ends, oi the sections, sep,arate; .fiu1d supply adjacent. tlieiriraised ends, individual "valves for saidsupply pipes permitting the supply to thelditiereiit coils to be cut off or regulated its at will and means for securing the sections one upon anotherQ, M J In a fiuid circulatingsystein, a series of;

superimposed coils each'iiorm'ed of aplurality of: pipe sections having oppositely. disposed; communicating inlet and' outlet thead's arrangedione above another, each "coil having a separate fluid supply connection leading said coils; one fupon a'nother. iv

5. a-fluid circulating; system, a series of j superimposed coils. formed of a plurality I of oppositely, extending communicating sections locatedxone above another and: eacharranged to circulate the fluid in opposite directions from the junction point ofthe-sections, "each coil having a discharge :passage comtherebeneath atapoint opposite said junction point, an independent fluid supply connection leading-to each coil. adjacent said unction pioint,all of the fluidentering each connection circulating through the coil corresponding thereto and meansserving to connect said .coils.

6'. In a fl-uid circulatin s IStGlIl :a series of superimposed'coils: comprising oppositelyQexmunicating with the neXt succeeding @011 tending upper and lower sections having com niunicating-headsat their opposite ends, the

lower heads of one coil being disposed .upon

theupper: heads 'offthe ne'xtsucceeding coil 'there'beneath, the heads of: all ofthesectioiis at one end'being in'communication, sa d. coils being non-communicating atthe oppositeends of the sections, a separate fluid supply con- ;nection for each'coil' leading to the non-communicating ends of thesections and means serving to secure said'coils oneupon another.

7. Ina fluid circulating lsystem, a plurality of. pipe sectionsassembled toextend alternately in opposite directions and having heads 7 at their opposite 1 ends in "superimposed relatifon wherebylto afiord a series of coils arranged oneaboveanother, said coils having their heads elevated atone side above thc -heads atthe opposite: side and having sepairate fluid supply-connections leading to the --elevatedheads,the lower sections of the sev;

'eralcoils ea'cli 'having a discharge passage leading to the upper'sectionsof the next succeeding coil therebeneath,the elevated heads of theseveral coils being noii-comiiiunicating and means-for securing said sections oneupon another. g j p v 8. f In a fluid circulating system, a plurality of-pipe sections assembled to eXtend1alter iately in oppositedirectionsfand having in letfand'outletheads 'at'th'eir opposite ends-in super-imposed relation, the heads ofeachalternate section having openings in one s de thereof and the heads of thenext adjacent sectioi 'serving-to closesaid openings theoutlet heads being in-cominuni'catio'n and the in- I let heads oftl e CllfiQIGIltSGQliIOHS bGlIig noncommunicating and means serving to secure;

said sections one upon another] of the several coils having passages therebetween tdpermit' the downward discharge of fluid from one coil *to another and theinlet heads ogfthedi'iierent 'coils'beingnon-com- V municating,valvesfor automatically-check;

Q. In a fluidcirculating.pressuref system, aseries of si'iper'iinposed coils comprising 0 positely extending upper and lower sections having inlet and outlet heads, the outlet heads 1 Iingthe flow f fluid through said passages froma lower to an upper coil'when :the pressure in the formeris greaterthan in the latter,'a supply connection leading to each coil and means for securing said coils one upon another. i

1 1 1710. Ina fluid circulating pressure system, a series of superimposed coils'supported one by another and comprising oppositely extending upper and lower sections inclined to the horizontal, the lower sections of the coils having passages leading'to the upper sections of the V IIlBXlS succeeding coils therebeneath, valvaes for automatically checking the flow of fluid through said passages from a lower to an upper coil when the pressure in theformer is greater thanin the latter, separate supply connections leading to :said coils and means a serving .to secure the sections. one upon an- ,20 'otherpi 11. Inga fluid circulating system, aqseries of coils each comprising oppositely extendingupper and lower sections having fluid inlet and outlet heads attheir opposite ends in communication one with another, the. heads of the lower section of 7 one coil forming closuresfor openings in the'heads of the next succeeding section therebeneath, valves for the outlet heads of-the lower coil sections arranged to automatically check the flow thereto of fluid fromthe outlet head of the section next beneath the same when the pressure in the latter is greater than in the former, and a separate supply pipe for one section of each coil.. Y

pipe sections. having inlet and outlet'heads their opposite ends, oneoutletheadof each coil having an openin leadin to the outlet head of the coil next acent t iereto, a valve for said opening arranged" in the last mentioned headandjadapted to check the flow of fluid therefromto the next adjacent outlet head when the pressure in" the former is g'reaterthan in the latter,-a separatevsupply connection leading to each inlet head and means" serving to secure said sections one upon anotherz a i y 13. In a fluid, circulating system, 1 a plurality'or" superimposed fluid circulating coils,

each-comprising apair'of pipe'sectionsextending inopposite directionsand communieating one with another, pressure controlled valves between said coils for checking the back flow'of theafluid from a lowerto an uppercoil whenthe pressure is greater in the formerthanin the latter and permitting dischargetof the fluid from the upper to the lower coils when the pressure in said lower coils is reduced below that in-the upper coils, separate fluidsupply conn'ectionsfleadin tosaidxcoils, a 'separatevalve for each 0' said connections "and means servi rig to a secure 3 said coils one upon another,

In a fluidcirculating system, a series, of COllS each comprising opposltelyextendlng 14;. In a heat exchange apparatus, a tank for .holding a liquid to be treated, a fluid circulating system disposed within the tank comprising a series-or coils each formed of a plurality of pipe sections having oppositely arranged communicating inlet and outlet heads disposed one upon another, the inlet heads ofthe several coils beingnon -communieating and the outlet heads being in communr cation one with another, separate fluid sup ply conduits leading through the tank wall to the inlet heads of said coils and adischarge conduit leading from thetank and connected with theoutlet head of one of thecoils,

15. In a fluid circulatingpressure system,

a series of superimposed'coils'havingioutleti heads arranged to-discharge one into'another,

said heads having pressure responsive valvesfor checking the back flow of the fluidfrom a lower to an upper head whenthe pressure in the :former is greaterthan in the latter and individual supply conduits leading to each of the coils. -x 31 r, I

16. v In a fluid circulating system, a pluraL ity of tubular sections having superimposed inlet and outlet heads the latter discharging one into another and the former being noncommunicating, a: discharge pipe" leading from one ofthe outletheads', individualsup- .plypi-pes leadingto the inlet headsand valves r regulating the pp y'or fluid delivered by said individual pipes- 17; In aliquid processing apparatusga'con- ".tainerfor holding afliquid to be treated, a

fluid pressure circulating system within the container for treating the liquidcomprising a pluralityjof tubular sections having superimposed outlet heads arranged to discharge one into another, certain of said headshaving pressure responsive jvalves for'checking' the back flow of the fluid therefrom whenrthe pressure therein becomes greater than that in the head discharginglthereto and means for conveying fluid underpressure to said tubular sections.

charge conduit leading from the container and connectingwith the outlet head of one of' said sections.

19. In aliquid processing apparatus, a container for holding a liquid to'betreated, a ,1

fluid; pressure circulatingf system within" the 7 container for treating the liquid comprising a a plurality of tubular sections having superimposed inletheadsiand superimposed outlet heads the latter being arranged to discharge oneinto another, certain of said outlet heads having pressure responslve valves for check- H ing the back flow of the fluid therefromwhen the pressure therein becomes greater than that V be processed, of a plurality of conduit sections 1 Verse flow from said last named conduit-secin the head discharging thereto and individual fluid supply conduits leading to said inlet heads and having valves for regulating the fluid supply.

20. In a processing apparatus, the combination with a container for holding materials to Within'said container for holding treating fluid, inlet means for supplying fluid to each of said conduit sections individually, discharge conduit means leading from one of said conduitsection s, and means providing a passage for discharge flow from each ofthe I other conduit sections to the conduit section from which said discharge conduit means leads. f v

21. In a processing apparatus, the combination with a container for holding material to Y be processed, of a plurality of conduit sections y L Within said container for holding treating fluid, inlet means for supplying fluid to each tion to any of the other conduit sect-ions. V o

EDGAR B, NICHOLS; 

